Browsing by Author "Edwardson, Christian F"
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Item Adding Value During the Processing of Panel Products: Final Report(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1989-12) Edwardson, Christian FMinnesota is the leading producer of oriented strand board (OSB) panels. These panels are typically commodity products such as wall and roof sheathing. This project endeavored to add value to these panels by applying a medium density overlay (MDO) paper and an aspen fiber mat to the surface of the panel. Typical uses of MDO panel products are concrete forms, siding, soffits, signs, and other industrial applications. MDO was applied to OSB panels primarily in a two-step operation so that the results could be used by a primary producer or by a secondary manufacturer. The research effort was aimed at optimizing the methods and operating parameters related to MDO application and to evaluate the panels for various end uses. Additionally, the application of an aspen fiber mat as an overlay or in combination with an MDO was investigated. The report describes in detail the development of recommended process parameters for twostep overlaying of industrial use MDO panels made with an OSB substrate. Full size panels were manufactured successfully using these optimized parameters in a pilot plant press. Also included in the report is a draft preliminary business plan for a fictitious company, MDO Panel Products Inc. This exercise was started to enable an entrepreneur or a primary manufacturer to take the information developed at NRRI and apply it. While the numbers used are preliminary, the economics of such an endeavour appear to be excellent. Finally, aspen fiber mat has been successfully applied in a two-step manufacturing process. This aspect of the study was much more difficult than originally conceived because of the apparent moisture content intolerance of the fiber mat. This work has indicated good potential for economic development and will be continued and expanded with funding of the current GMC proposals. Specifically the new work will look at stress skin panels as building components and further developments of layered composite panels.Item Birch Products from a Cottage Industry in Minnesota(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1987-12) Wood, Joseph C; Edwardson, Christian F; Adams, Roy DThe study objective was to analyze prospects for manufacturing wood products in Minnesota using birch in small scale and cottage industries. The current status of Minnesota's birch-based industry is described indicating that low valued firewood is 60 percent of consumption and the majority of the remaining consumption is in sawbolts. In secondary manufacturing most birch is used in low value-added products. Cottage industry is defined in several ways, but by any definition Minnesota has been effective in developing this segment. Some of Minnesota's cottage industry is using wood as a raw material. Three successful companies are profiled; a classic cottage industry, a small home-based cooking utensil manufacturer and a small wood products manufacturer. Each of these uses wood to a greater or lesser degree. There are good prospects for increasing the use of wood, including birch, in companies of this type. A discussion of challenges is presented and specific recommendations made. The profiled cottage industry would serve as a model for further expansion. Creation of a Minnesota wood turning industry should be explored. Establishment of a prototype manufacturing shop would help existing and new operations.Item Development of Substitute Log Siding with Husky Panel Systems: Semi-Annual Report(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1993-08) Edwardson, Christian FItem Manufacturing and Use of Structural Lumber Substitutes: Final Report(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1990-01) Edwardson, Christian FMinnesota does not have the necessary timber resource to provide the quality and quantity of softwood lumber used in building construction in the State. If an appropriate composite lumber substitute (CLS) can be identified and developed using Minnesota species, job creation and decreased use of imported lumber could be realized. This project endeavored to identify potential lumber substitutes and evaluate the economic feasibility of manufacturing various substitutes in Minnesota. Some product development work was initiated. Parallel laminated veneer lumber (PLVL) displayed excellent potential based on an economic evaluation. Some preliminary laboratory studies of this material were established. PLVL was manufactured with aspen and birch used singly or in combination. These boards were tested to establish preliminary strength information. This report includes a detailed economic analysis for the construction of a PLVL plant in Minnesota, with a sensitivity analysis. Less detailed numbers were available for the other CLS options resulting in less detailed analysis, but allowing for some comparisons. This study shows the excellent potential for the development of a CLS plant in Minnesota and work will be continued and expanded in a related project involving a major Minnesota utility company. The planned future experiments will primarily involve the preservative treatment aspects of PLVL.Item Melamine Based Adhesives for Composite Products (1995-02): Semi-Annual Progress Report(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1995-02) Edwardson, Christian FObjective: To manufacture and evaluate conventional oriented strandboard (OSB), steam injected composite material, and I-joists using a new catalyzed melamine adhesive system developed in Europe.Item Optimizing Wax Addition in OSB(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1996-01) Edwardson, Christian FItem Preliminary Evaluation of Parallel Laminated Veneer Lumber Made from Preservative Treated Veneers(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1990-06) Edwardson, Christian F; Roos, KennethThe use of preservative treated veneer in the manufacture of plywood or parallel laminated veneer lumber (PLVL) should have potential in specialty applications where a high value, high priced product is appropriate. The challenge in dealing with treated veneers is finding a resin which is compatible with the preservative. The veneer product desired for this project could not be post treated because a flat panel was needed for machining and subsequent manufacturing. Three veneer types, two preservatives, and three adhesives were selected for evaluation. Aspen, birch, and red pine veneers were treated with disodium octoborate tetrahydrate and copper naphthenate to a retention level of 0.60 pounds per cubic foot or greater. Prior to treatment, green veneer was dried to between 20 and 25 percent moisture content and following treatment it was dried to near 5 percent for gluing. Three adhesives types, phenol formaldehyde, catalyzed melamine, and emulsion polymer isocyanate were used to bond the treated veneers .. Three ply plywood glue shear specimens were used to evaluate bond quality after a one cycle vacuum-pressure-soak. PL VL specimens approximately one-inch thick were manufactured to test strength and stiffness in bending. Acceptable wood bonds were developed for treated aspen and red pine, however the tightness of the birch created difficulty in forming a consistent glue bond. In most instances strength and stiffness compared favorably with the controls. In many cases PLVL averages exceeded Wood Handbook values for clear wood specimensItem Production Testing of Modified Soy Flour/MDI Adhesive in Oriented Strand Board Manufacturing: Final Report(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1997-12) Edwardson, Christian F; Quan, XianzhiItem Use of Melamine Based Adhesives for Composite Products (1994-10): Semi-Annual Progress Report(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1994-10) Edwardson, Christian FObjective: To manufacture and evaluate conventional oriented strandboard (OSB), steam injected composite material, and I-joists using a new catalyzed melamine adhesive system developed in Europe.